The Slobodna sailing vessel is the only representative late 19th century type ship of its era in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and will add to our understanding and interpretation of the past. Its wreck is located at two distinct location in Key Largo, Florida.

​

Slobodna Shipwreck "Mast Wreck"

The Mast Wreck site is believed to be the 1887 Austrian sailing vessel Slobodna which ran aground on Molasses reef in Key Largo, Florida, on March 16, 1887, carrying 4,500 bales of cotton and other numerous cargos. Near the site lies the Windlass Wreck also known as "The Winch" or "Winch Hole". It is believed that this winch once belonged to the Slobodna; a 170-foot wooden schooner that only three years after the vessel was built it ran aground on Molasses Reef. Wreckage is scattered throughout a large area containing a large mast and boom. If identified as the Slobodna, the sailing vessel will be the only representative type ship of its era in the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, and will add to our understanding and interpretation of the past.

​

Slobodna Shipwreck "Winch Hole"

The Winch Hole site is believed to contain remnants of the 1887 Austrian sailing vessel Slobodna which ran aground Molasses Reef on March 16, 1887 in Key Largo, Florida, carrying 4,500 bales of cotton. The site contains a large 8 foot winch or windlass and numerous additional wreckage. It is believed that this winch once belonged to the Slobodna; a 170-foot wooden schooner those three years after its completion ran aground and bilged. Wreckage is scattered throughout a large area which contains a number of deck riggings, a large mast, and a boom which is not is not seen at the "Mast Wreck Site" suggesting the association of the two sites. If identified as the Slobodna, the sailing vessel would be the only representative ship of its era in the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park adding to our understanding and interpretation of the past.

For graduation I completed the identification and association of a wreck vessel located in Molasses Reef, Key Largo Florida. The sites commonly known as the "Mast Wreck" and "Winch Hole" have been documented as the sailing vessel Slobodna. The Mast Wreck site is an 1887 Austrian sailing vessel Slobodna which ran aground on Molasses reef on March 16th, 1887 in Key Largo, Florida. It was carrying 4,500 bales of cotton and other numerous cargos. Wreckage is scattered throughout a large area containing a large mast and boom.

The following is an easy read where some of my shipwreck study was cited.